Gianfranco Zola has new year resolve

GIANFRANCO Zola has admitted that West Ham should have a fairly good idea of where the club is heading by the end of January.

Gianfranco Zola will be pleased when he can put a tough month behind him and the club []

Zola has highlighted this month as make or break for the Hammers – but it has got off to a disappointing start.

So far this month, West Ham have been knocked out of the FA Cup after surrendering a lead against Arsenal, while their first league game of the year – at home to Wolves today – was postponed as london shivered in Arctic conditions.

The Wolves game was the first in a series of six-pointers this month against relegation rivals – with matches against Portsmouth and Blackburn Rovers following soon.

Must-win matches, a potential takeover of the club, the return of striker Carlton Cole and a decision on whether key players need to be sold will all help decide the Hammers’ fate.

“This month is so very important,” said Zola. “It is a massive month for us. The players know what games are coming and how important they are and they will be focused.”

The weather certainly has not helped West Ham’s cause.

“I remember it snowing before but not as much as this and of course it has affected us,” said Zola. “We can’t prepare for games or train properly but complaining won’t help, we have to try to get used to it.”

Zola knows how important the return to fitness of Cole can be to his side, saying: “His recovery is vital for us, not just in terms of goals but for what he gives to the team. He is a big boost for the others.

“We are not putting any pressure on him. When he comes back he has to be fit enough for the season.”

Off the field, speculation continues to mount about a fresh takeover bid. Tony Fernandes, team principal of the new lotus F1 Racing outfit, has indicated he is ready to launch a formal bid for the Hammers, declaring on his personal Twitter page: “Soon they will have an owner who will make a difference and care.”

The Malaysian entrepreneur joins David Gold, who sold his stake in Birmingham City last year, and the London-based Intermarket Group as potential new owners.

That speculation is despite the fact that current owners CB Holdings – a company arm of Icelandic investment bank Straumur – are in no rush to sell.

The takeover of the club is another headache Zola could do without but added: “This could be vital for our future, but it is something I can do nothing about and I am not even thinking about it.”

Zola is remaining confident he will be bringing in, rather than selling, players this month.

There have been fears the likes of England trio Robert Green, Matthew Upson and striker Cole could be cashed in on this month.

But Zola said: “Bringing somebody in would be nice, but I hope that the team at least remains the same, that is the most important thing, because when we have everybody back, it is going to be a different story.

“Everybody knows the financial situation. I think we have stability and do not have big problems.

“I am not expecting to have anybody leaving. If it will change, I do not know, but I am hoping not.”

Regardless of what happens during the transfer window, Zola believes the fans can play their part.

He added: “We need to create that kind of atmosphere which has always made this place a fortress.”